Information and commentary about the struggle for democracy in the African kingdom of Swaziland

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

SECURITY FORCES ‘NOT UNDER CONTROL’

Security forces in Swaziland are not kept under proper
control, a new
report on human rights in the kingdom has revealed. And,
about 35 percent of the entire Swazi Government workforce was assigned to
security-related functions.

The annual report on human rights in Swaziland just
published by the United
States Department of State stated King Mswati III ruled as an
absolute monarch and he and his mother exercised ultimate authority over the
cabinet, legislature, and judiciary.

The report stated, ‘The King is the commander in chief
of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF), holds the position of Minister
of Defence, and is the commander of the Royal Swaziland Police Service
(RSPS)and the His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).He presides over a civilian Principal Secretary
of Defence and a commanding general.Approximately 35 percent of the government workforce was assigned to
security-related functions.’

The report added, ‘The RSPS is responsible for
maintaining internal security as well as migration and border crossing
enforcement.The USDF is responsible for
external security but also has domestic security responsibilities, including
protecting members of the royal family.

‘The Prime Minister oversees the RSPS, and the Principal
Secretary of Defence and the army commander are responsible for day-to-day USDF
oversight.The HMCS is responsible for
the protection, incarceration, and rehabilitation of convicted persons and
keeping order within HMCS institutions.HMCS personnel, however, routinely worked alongside police during
protests and demonstrations.While the
conduct of the RSPS, USDF, and HMCS was generally professional, members of all
three forces were susceptible to political pressure and corruption.’

The 33-page report concluded, ‘Impunity was a
problem.Although there were mechanisms
to investigate and punish abuse and corruption, there were few prosecutions or
disciplinary actions taken against security officers accused of abuses.

‘The internal RSPS complaints and discipline unit
investigated reports of police abuse and corruption but did not release its
findings to the public.In most cases
the RSPS transferred police officers found responsible for violations to other
offices or departments within the police system.’

It added, ‘Civilian authorities failed at times to
maintain effective control over the security forces.’